Momordica charantia L. extracts restores ovarian function in Estradiol-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the therapeutic potential of aqueous fruit and seed extract of Momordica charantia L. (MC) as an alternative treatment for PCOS. OBJECTIVES: Evaluations included ovarian histopathology, fasting blood sugar, lipid profiles, antioxidant markers and hormone levels. METHODS: Female Wistar rats induced with PCOS via a single 4.5&#x202f;mg/kg dose of estradiol valerate were treated with MC extracts at 500 and 1000&#x202f;mg/kg/day for 60 days. RESULTS: The results showed that treatment with MC fruit and seed extract at the dose of 500 and 1000&#x2009;mg/kg/day possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in in-vitro models. MC fruit and seed extract showed no cytotoxicity in HeLa cell viability in the MTT assay and the highest antioxidant activity followed by DPPH compared with ascorbic acid (p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.01). The fasting blood sugar serum levels, total lipid profile, LH, FSH, estradiol and antioxidant enzyme levels were significantly restored after 60 days of treatment (p < 0.01). Further, MC extract significantly reduced body weight (p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.01) and ovarian weight (p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05), restored the normal estrous cycle, resolved cysts in the ovaries and displayed positive effects on ovarian histopathology after 60 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: MC fruit and seed extracts is considered a potential treatment for PCOS in estradiol-induced female rats.